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Archives for October 2018

WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2018 (SILSILAH FORUM PAGADIAN)

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This year’s celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week ( WIHW) In Pagadian City , adopted the theme : “Celebrating the Transforming Power of Love of God and Love of Neighbor for the Common Good”. The celebration was initiated by the Silsilah Forum Pagadian (SFP), who invited some members of the interfaith forum for solidarity and peace and other silsilah alumni members and friends.There were activities during the week long celebration. We connected some public and  private schools in the city because we believe that the role of youth is very important specially in our present situation now in building peace.

This were the following activities conducted:The thematic prayer which was participated by some religious leaders,youth and other sectors isince this activity was open for all. The feeding program for the malnourished children particular in Muslim depressed community,one was in Kawit Muslim village ,most of the number of children were sama kabingaan.The other one was in the relocation are in Bulatok this  is far from the city because this people were came from sta.lucia in one of the barangay here in pagadian city and they are victim of demolition that’s why they transferred to Bulatok.Most of the people were belong to Indegenious people.The third activity was the Peace Forum with women leaders , this activity aims to determine the role of women in promoting peace and development in the society.Another activity was conducted in Balay Paglaum at Manga,Pagadian City which was participated by the in house youth of balay paglaum the activity entitled Values Formation and Orientation of World Interfaith Harmony Week.Ms Ellen Cuaresma  a silsilah forum pagadian core group member handled the lecture on what is world interfaith harmony week and its objective.The role of youth in peace building was another activity conducted by the forum with the help of some silsilah members.Participants were all youth, we believe that nowadays youth plays a crucial role in terms of peace building and how they overcome challenges specially on their age.Simultaneous prayer was done in mosque in even in the the house because the aim of this was the connectedness of the prayer that emphasized prayer was the most important powerful things we can do in order to attend the long lasting peace .Everything we do we need to put ALLAH (SWT) GOD first because HE IS THE ONLY LISTENER OF OUR NEEDS AND PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD.BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER.

The role of silsilah during the WIHW 2018 was quite different from the previous celebrations. We initiated the celebration and facilitated all the activities , but we empowered the other members of the forum and some group to be with us not only for the world interfaith harmony week activity but for the whole journey of the forum.Ms.Saida M.Lapasaran explained the objective and rationale of the  one week long activity with the support and actively participation of some members in the forum and other friends of silsilah .Ms Ellen Cuaresma as one of the harmony link coordinator in pagadian actively organized the Christian group to had a solemn prayer the last day of the celebration. Silsilah was perceived to be in the back ground during the observance of the WIHW 2018, it was actively giving directions to the whole process of the celebration.

We look forward to the next celebration of the WIHW. We are very much convinced that working hand in hand with differ commitment can help in achieving peaceful leaving among others.”LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR “ THE COMMON WORD BETWEEN US AND YOU. PADAYON AND GOD BLESS ALWAYS TO ALL.

It was a big lost of one member of the Silsilah core groupmember.  Rev.Diosdado Marquez was a very active member of the silsilah and he died during the WIHW celebration because of kidney. Last  year kasama pa namin siya sa 2017 WIHW. Every year he was very supported and actively participated in all activites.

 

 

Cagayan de Oro Celebrates WIHW 2017

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The World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) was celebrated in Cagayan de Oro last 1st week of February of this year with the theme, “Celebrating Harmony in the Spirit of Mercy and Compassion.” This week-long celebration is a Resolution 65/5 proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on October 20, 2010 that every first week of February is the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs. Hence, we are all encouraged to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Thus, there is a need to re-affirms that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.

To promote harmonious relationship and better understanding between and among people of the different living faiths, the Interfaith Forum for Peace Harmony and Solidarity whose members are UCCP Pastors, AFP Chaplain(Methodist), IFI priests, Roman Catholic Priests-Nuns & Lays, Imams and Ustadj of the Muslim community, IP-Higaunon of Dansolihon, Campus Ministries and Peace Projects of Xavier University, Students of XU Sira’j Muslim Religious Organizations and Muslim Youth Council conducted series of activities in Cagayan de Oro City.  The first day of the week-long celebration was graced by an ecumenical prayer service hosted by Senior Minister Reverend Ricardo Yañez Jr of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines – Cagayan de Oro. Each Church representative was assigned to specific intentions to pray for. But prior to the prayer, Archbishop Antonio J Ledesma, SJ DD of the Roman Catholic Church gave the introduction and the rationale of the said celebration. After which, Fr. Vic Arellano of Igelsia Filipina Independiente expressed his prayer intention for solidarity and unity in the midst of divisions, confusions and conflicts not only in Mindanao but to the entire inhabitants of the world. Thus it is imperative that one has to be concern with the other notwithstanding each other differences. In the same manner, AFP Chaplain of the Methodist Pastor Eduardo Copliting expressed also his prayer intention for the peace processes in Mindanao to push through in spite and despite of the very challenging situations right now between the GRP-NDF and the Bangsamoro people. Ustadj Edris Salic of the Muslim community here in Cagayan de Oro conveyed his prayer intention for world peacespecially of the many innoc

ent lives that died in the name of war and armed conflicts in the Middle Eastern part of the world. Nevertheless, Gail dela Rita of Xavier University and Pastor Goel Bagundol of UCCP conveyed their intercessory prayer for the care of the environment and to engage in all forms in the disaster risks reduction management especially that Cagayan de Oro had experienced an unexpected flooding two months ago.

Last February 3, our Muslim brothers and sisters of the Oro Jamaah Mosque in Cogon open its doors in welcoming the religious sisters and catechists of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and some UCCP Pastors headed by Pastor Ricardo Yañez for the Muslim Friday Dohor or noon prayer observance. After the prayer, Ustadj Anas shared something on the beauty and richness of Islam as well as its commonality with the Christian faith.  He said that there are only substantial commonalities than differences. Hence, religious tolerance, mutual acceptance, appreciation, respect must prevail since we only have one God though called in different names.

On the other hand, the Sira’j Muslim Religious Organization of Xavier University spearheaded a symposium dubbed as Ummah 2.0 bearing the theme: ‘Enlightening the Youth and Reviving the Imaan (aka Faith). The said symposium was attended by  some Muslim students form other schools and university in Cagayan de Oro City. One of the remarkable topics that were discussed was the true essence of Jihad that a Muslim and Non-Muslim should know particularly the great Jihad by Atty. Hamid Barra, former co-convenor of the Bishops-Ulama Conference. Some emerging and prevalent issues were also tackled by the distinguished speakers. Moreover, challenge the Muslim youth in Cagayan de Oro to get involve in promoting a culture of peace and dialogue with their fellow youth so as to create more spaces for mutual understanding and respect with one another and the “otherness” of the others.  

Lastly, the WIHW concluded its activity in the Pamumulakaw-Panulak ta Wahig last March 4, 2017. This is an annual ritual of the Higaunon Tribal communities in Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City in order to give thanks, to say sorry and protection from the dwellers (guardians) of the Cagayan de Oro river to never again experience the 6-years ago tragedy (Sendong) that Kagay-anons could not forget. In this gathering were the people in Brgy Nangka, Libona Bukidnon, the members of the Interfaith Forum, XU Year of Service Volunteers, XU Socio-Anthro Dept., members from SACDO, Parishioners of Barra, Opol, Columban priests, seminarians and lay missionaries from Tonga, Fiji and Peru witnessed and participated during the celebration. The ritual was also graced by the simultaneous prayers of the Baylan (Datu), Priest and Pastor during the pamatbat (incantation). This IP ritual reminded us of our responsibility to be a true steward of God, Bathala or Allah’s creation.

   – Mona Lisa D Pangan

Silsilah Forum Cagayan de Oro

WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2018: SILSILAH FORUM IPIL

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When we realize that the goal of every religion is essentially the same – the search for truth and peace then we can stand-in an attitude of open dialogue and mutual exchange of ideologies. Through the correct practice of religion, we should develop not only harmony between faiths and nations but a harmony or state of peace within ourselves.

As the world becomes more interconnected and cultures, peoples and religions become ever more entwined. Silsilah Dialogue Movement has its own ways to promote harmony and peace in different areas in Mindanao through a program called Silsilah Forum.

With the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 with the assistance and support of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, and the great efforts of the 

Silsilah Forum Ipil has come up with an initiative of Inter religious forum with the religious leaders.

During the activity, the vision and mission of Silsilah was introduced through a video presentation. The history of Silsilah was also presented with the participants. Truly, the Silsilah Forum – Ipil came up with a very significant initiative to share and reflect the value of celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018. Ms. Aminda E. Saño, EDC — President, Silsilah Dialogue Movement attended the activity and gave a very inspiring message on the journey of Silsilah Dialogue Movement in advocating and promoting peace in the community especially in Mindanao. At the end of the activity, the different religious sectors together with the Silsilah forum coordinators and staffs came up and signed a statement of commitment.

There is a diversity of religious beliefs in our world simply because there is a corresponding diversity of mindsets. Even two random adherents of the same faith are unlikely to have totally identical views. 

To attain harmony, we should have the spirit of dialogue that makes inter-religious harmony possible – when we choose to focus on the similarities of compassion and wisdom.

 

            The celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 gave a great opportunity to the Silsilah Forum to be an organization of harmony and dialogue and also to be the leading group to conduct inter-religious initiatives and programs in the future – a program that will remind the community the happiness in building a place for peace and harmony. All religions have an important role to play in maintaining peace and reconciliation. The activity reflected the main point of celebrating the World interfaith Harmony Week which is to celebrate the Transforming Powers of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the Common Good. Because at the end, it is believe that love is considered to be the mother virtue, the principle virtue that gives birth to all the other virtues. Padayon!

World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 Davao Experience!

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Harmony in human relationships among people is an essential element in our quest for peace and development. For this reason the United Nations had made a Resolution in 2010 to celebrate the first week of February every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW). In the Philippines, it is supported by Republic Act No. 10525. It is “an act declaring the First Week of February of every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week in the entire country and mandating its observance by the different Government agencies.”

In Davao City, we have been celebrating the WIHW for the past six years together with our peace partners. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Neighbor for the Common Good.”
The World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration in Davao City started with an opening program which was organized and participated by the members of the Focolare Movement on February 1. The Silsilah Forum Davao Muslim Coordinator, Ms. Nor Asiah Adilao was invited to present the background and rationale of the WIHW. Archbishop Emeritus Capalla shared about the theme “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Neighbor for the Common Good.” Then, Ms. Vivien Nobles from the Silsilah shared her concrete experience on the transforming power of the love of God and neighbor.

On the 2nd of February, the Education Department of the Brokenshire College invited Ms. Nor Asiah and Fr. Hermes as resource speakers during the Special Topic 2 seminar of the education students on the theme: “The Role of Educators in Creating a Culture of Dialogue and Peace.”
On the 5th of February, a Youth-Space Day for Harmony was held at the Al-Munawarra Islamic School. This was the first time that one of the programs of the celebration of the WIHW took place in a Muslim community in Davao City.

Through the dynamic and creative activities, the whole morning’s program created a space of peace that promotes mutual respect, friendship, acceptance and appreciation of the differences of the other. Both Muslim and Christian students actively participated in the activity. We are grateful to the school administration for welcoming us; and for the students for taking an active participation during the process of the activity. It was a youthful and meaningful experience of the students being with others, who were different from their own religions and cultures. Indeed, it is essential to provide a space among young people to share their experiences that create peace and harmony.

The week-long celebration concluded with a forum entitled “Life-in-Dialogue, a space for harmony.” The Teachers and religious leaders from various religious education institutions in Davao City participated in the said forum. The representative from the Office of the Consulate General of Indonesia delivered a message on the celebration of the WIHW.

 

 

– Ms. Nor Asiah Madale Adilao